Three-position annunciator



W. H. GEIGER.

THREE-POSITION ANNUNCIATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23 1914. RENEWED OCT. 28, I918.

1,311,118. Patentedluly 22,1919.

I am 1% a w &

' INVENTOR WITNESSES: I ww 649W 91 119;

A TTORNE YS.

ran snares rarnn'r orrrcn.

WESLEY H. GEIGER, OF WORMLEYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA,

THREE-POSITION ANNUNCIATOR.

Application filed April 23, 1914, Serial lNo 833,900. Renewed October signal tower, or to a crossing watchman, by.

giving a visual signal and to operate contacts to control an audible signal at the same time the visual signal is given, and a method for silencing the audible-signal and substituting another or third visual signal for the first announcing signal, while the cause for giving the signal is still active, and to be automatically set from its, third visible signaling condition to its first, or clear position as will be described later.

Anotherobject is to construct an annunicator that may be used on an open or closed circuit, :without adding any extra parts, it being only necessary to change the position of the reversible pawls.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side View without the cover, for operation on a closed circuit, and having a slidably mounted shutter.

Fig. 2 is a similar View for an open circuit operation, with a pivotably mounted shutter, and electrical means for resetting the shutterto its upper or to the "central position.

-(onstruction, Fig. 1: The electromagnet is d between the polepieces 2 and which are in turn held by the non-magnetic plate as which forms the back of the device; an armature 4, is pivoted on the polepiece 3, at 24, and is free to move between the stops 22 and 23, under the tension of the spring25,\which is attached to one end of the armature 4, which will hold the armature against the stop 22, when not under the influence of the magnet 1, and will be held against the stop 23, when under the influence of the magnet 1. a

Upon the armature 4, which carrles two reversible pawls or stops .5 and 6 pivoted at 10 and 11 on the armature 4, the pins 14 .are fixed on the armature to limit the move- Specification of Letters Patent.

to contact with the contact The Patented July 22 1919. 28, 1918. Serial No. 260,069.

by the shutter arm 1 and engage the stops 5 and 6 carried by the armature 4 sucessively. This spacing on the armature of the pawls, corresponds to the spacing visible on the sections C. and B. of the signal arm 17 which operates in three positions, and the space between the contact strip 27 and the contact post 30, is equal to the spacing of A. and B. and which position when section A is exposed is independent of the position of the armature 4, or'in other words section A. will be displayed at the opening 20, with the armature 4 in either the attracted or unattracted position after the signal arm has moved from theposition exposing section B.

The signal arm 17 isslidably mounted on the rod 18, and has two arms 17 and 17' the latter arm carrying the contact strip 27 post terminal 30, when the signal arm is in its lowest position.

9, for engagement with either of the reversible pawls 5 0r 6, to hold the signal arm in either of its. upper positions displaying section B. or C. the case 21. Attached to the signal arm 17, is a plate 19, which is divided into three equal sections, A, B, and C, successively visible through the opening 20 ofthe' case 21, the center section B, showing 0 ear when there is no train on the track section 105; the upper section A, showing when there is a train on the track section 105. An audible signal is given simultaneously with the displayof visible signal A, by the bell 107 'controlled by the contacts 27, and 30. Section C is a substitutionfor the section A, when the signal arm is reset to its uppermost position, and the bell contacts 27 and 30 are open and the audible signal given by the bell silenced. i

The three sections of the signal member may be displayed by the signaling colors, white, red and green, section 13, showing white, section A, showing red, section C, showing green, or the word clear used on the section B, the word train used on the section A and also on section C. Or a combination signal arm 17 carries two pins 8 and at the opening 20' of of raising the shutter to its center or uppermost positiop. v

The binding post 28 is for one end of the magnet coil 1, and is insulated from the pole piece 2. The binding post 29 is uninsulated from thepole piece 3, and is connected to the other end of the magnet coil 1.

If it is desired to have all parts insulated it may be done by addin another contact post 29 Fig. 3, on the po e piece 3" similar to the contact post 30; the contact strip 27 is held under the head of the contact post 29 and is arranged so that when the signal arm 17 is in. its lowest position it will rest on the insulation 28 which is secured on the contact'strip 27", and press the contact strip 27 against the contact post 30; this would close a circuit which might be'connected to the two contact posts 29 and 30,-

for instance the wires 101 and 106.-

In Fig. 2, of the drawing, the magnet 1, and the armature 4, are arranged as in Fig. 1. The signal arm 17 is ivotally mounted to the plate 3% at 38 and t e free end carrying the plate 19* which has three signaling sections 'A. B. and C.- successively .visible through the opening 20 of the case 21. Upon the arm 17 near the signaling end are the pins 8 and 9" for engagement with the reversible pawls 5 and 6 upon the segment 37, attached to the armature 4 by the screws 39 and 40 and forms an arc with the pivot 38. .The lower end 17 of this arm carries the contact strip 27 to make contact with contact post and terminal 30, when thearm is in its lowest position and section A is displayed at opening 20. In this arrangement the pawls 5 and 6" have been reversedso that the upper pawl 5 will arrest the signal arm 17 b when the armature 4 is in the attracted position, and the pawl 5" is passed-off of the section of track 105, rod

engaged with the pin 8. The lower pawl 6"- W111 engage the pin 9- and arrest the; signal arm 17 when the armature 4" is in'-. and the -pawl 6' i the unattracted position, is enga with the pin 9.

It wi 1 be seen by this application-of the" pawls that it is only necessary to reverse these' pawls to change to an open or a closed circuit operation,- the lower pawl being used for arresting the signal armrin the B position, whether the open or-closed circuit operation is used, and the upper pawl for the arresting of the arm" to display section 0.

The magnet 35 has an armature 33 which is pivoted at 41 on the pole piece 32 and at its opposite end this magnet is held against the pole piece 3 by a screw not shown in' the drawing. To the armature 33" is connected a rod 36, which at itsoppo} site end is connected to the signal arm 17 for the urpose of resetting the signal arm 17. en the magnet 3:),is' ener "zed'it will attract the armature 33, and re 36 will upward movement of the rod 31. C will be-displayed at 20 until track secpush the arm 17 to its uppermost position,

and the armature 33 against the stop 34.

The armature 33 carries a counter weight w 31 to partially counteract the weight of the arm 17". i

The track relay 103 is connected to one 1 end of the railroad track 105, and to the ture attracted against the stop 23, the pin 8 will be arrested on the reversible pawl 6, and the section B, showing clear at 20. A train coming on the track section 105-will shunt the relay 103 and will open the circuit' flowing through these contacts, which in turn will de'e'nergize the magnet 1 and permit the armature 4 to be drawn away rom. the stop 23 b the action of the spring 25 which will hol the armature 4 against the-stop 22. This movement of the armajture 4 will cause the reversible pawl 6 to I be drawn away from the pin 8, which will allow the signal arm to drop and show A,

or train, at 20, and at the same time contactstrip 27 will contact with contact 0st 30 this will close a circuit through the ell 10 7, and give'an audible signal with current flowing from battery 100, wire 101, binding post .29, pole piece 3 throughthe rod 18, contact strip 27, contact post 30, wire 106 through the bell 107, wire 108 to the battery 100. Y

To silence the alarm before the train has 31 is pushed upward until the in 9, is engaged with the reversible paw 5, thereby substitutin the section C for the section A, both 0 which indicate that "the track section 105 is occupied by a train. -The contacts 27 and 30, atthe eginning of the Section tion 105 is clear of a train. Should this section- 105 be of considerable lengthand.

a second train .come on it before the first one has cleared, .the signaling section C terminal 28, wire 102, contacts of relay 103,

'wire101, to the battery 100. This will energize the magnet 1, and armature 4 will be attracted, the reversible pawl 5, will be audible signal is silenced b the opening of disengaged from the pin 9, the shutter 17, will then drop and show B at 20, and be arrested from further movement by the pin 8, engaging the reversible pawl 6, in which position it has been set automatically for the next train.

Operation of Fig. 2. on an open circuit: A train coming on the track section 105 will shunt the track relay 103, and cause the armature to drop and close the-backcontaets of the relay 103. With this contact closed current will flow from the battery 100, wire 101, bindingv post 29, magnetic coil 1, binding post 28, wire 102, contact of relay 103, wire 104, to the battery 100. [This Wlll energize the magnet l, and attract the armature 4. This will disengage the pin 9 from -'the reversible pawl 6, and the signal meniber will drop from the clear position H expose the section A at opening 20, showing train and at the same time contact 27 will make contact with contact post and terminal 30. Thisproduces an audible signal by current flowing from the battery 100, wire 101, pole piece 3, plate 3%, arm 17, contact strip 27, contact post and terminal 30, wire106', bell 107, wire 108, to the battery 100 ringing the bell 107 to give an audible signal and at the same time the section A is shown at the opening 20. To silence the audible signal and continue the visual by substituting a third signaling section C for the announcing section A, close thecircuit closer 110, when current will flow from the battery 100, wire 101, terminal 29, polepiece 3, coil of magnet 35, wire 109, circuit closer 110, wire 111, tothe battery 100, to energize the magnet 35, and attract armature 33, against the stop 3 1, when the rod 36, will raise the arm 17 to its uppermost position and the pin 8 will engage the reversible pawl 5, and section C will be substituted for the section A at the visible opening 20. The audible signal will be silenced by the opening ofcontacts 30 and 27 when the arm 17 is raised from its lower position to one of the upper positions.

As soon as the train leaves the-track -section' 105, relay 103 will be energized and attract its armature and open the relay con,- tacts, which will open the circuit flowing through the magnet 1, and the armature 4 will be drawn away from the stop 23, by the spring 25, and held against the stop 22, the pm 8 will disengage from the reversible pawl 5, and the arm 17 will drop and pin "9 will engage the reversible pawl 6, and

be automatically reset to its first or clear naling position, with the passing ofi of train on track sectipn 105, and be set ready for the next train.

I claim 1. In an annunciator of the type described in combination with, an electromagnet and coacting arn'iature having two stops theresigthe

' in combination with, contacts to control an audible signal, an electroanagnet and coacting armature having two, stops thereon, a three position signal member having two train and oneclear visual sections opcratively associated with electro-magnet and coacting armature two of its positions, said signal member when in its other position adapted to operate said contacts to control an audible signal.

3. In an annunciator of the type described in combination with, a resetting electromagnet and armature therefor, contacts to control an audible signal, an electroanagnet and c acting armature, having two stops thereon, a three position signal member having two train and one clear visual sections operatively associated with said electro-n'iagnet and coacting armature in two of its positions, said signal member when in its other position adapted to operate said contacts to control said audible signal, mans to energize said resetting magnet and reset said sig naling member from the last named position to either of thefirst named positions thereby silencing the audible signal.

4. In an annunciator of the type described in combination with, a resetting electromagnet and armature therefor, contacts to control an audible signal, an electro-magnet and a coacting armature having two stops thereon, a three position signal member having two train and one clear visual sections operatively associated with said electro-magnet and coactingarmature in two of its positions, said signal member when in its other position adapted to operate said contacts to control said audible signal, means to energize said resetting magnet and'reset said signaling position to the upper of said first named posltions thereby silencing the audible signal, said signaling member being automatically set to the lower of the first named positions.

, 5. In a three position annunciator, three visual signals and an audible signal, an electrical circuit and a circuit closer, means to hold'and expose one of said visual signals, means to change one of said visual signals and sound the audible signal, and means to silence said audible signal and substitute another visual signal for the one shown when the audible-signal was sounded, said circuit closer being in the same condition as when the audible signal was sounded.

member from the last named 6. In a three position annunciator, the

&

two train signaling positions, a main circuit and a circuit closer, an auxiliary circuit and auxiliary circuit closer operatively associated with an audible alarm when said display device is in one of its train signaling positions.

7. In an annunciator, in combination with an electrical circuit and circuit closer, an electromagnet and coacting armature, a resetting magnet and armature therefor, a three position display device, and an audible signal, means to hold said display device in its first signaling position with said circuit closer open and said magnet deenergized, and adapted to release said display device .from its first signaling position to assume its second signaling position of said display device with said circuit closer closed and said magnet energized, a resettin magnet and armature therefor to reset sai display device from its second signaling position to its third signaling position, means to hold said display device in its third signaling position with said circuit closer closed and said magnet energized, said last movement of said display device silencing the audible signal controlled by said display de vice when in its second signaling position, said third signaling position being substituted for the second signaling position while the means for-giving the second signaling position of said display device is still active and said circuit closerclosed, and

adapted to release said display device from its third signaling position and be held in its first signaling position with said circuit closer open.

8. In a. signaling device, the combination of an electrom-agnet, an armature therefor, a circuit closer directly connected with and wntrolled-by said armature, and a movable arm constucted to latch with the armature and arrest it when the armature is attracted and the movable arm is in one position, and constructed to also latch with said armature when the armature is released from the influence ef the magnet and when the movable arm is in a second position, and said arm having a third positlon which is automatically assumed by the movable arm when released from the armature psaid HIOVdlblB arm carrying three signals which are visible in its respective positions.

9. In 'a signaling device, an audible signal, an electromagnet and its armature, a make-and -break device controlled by the armature and adapted to operate said audible signal, a movable arm adapted to assume any one of three positions, namely, an intermediate position and two extreme positions, latching means carried by said movable arm adapted to engage with the armature and arrest it when-the movable arm is in its in: termediate position and in one of its extreme positions, respectively, but adapted to be both released from the armature to permit the movable arm to assume its third position, three visual signals carried by the movable arm and adapted to be presented to View by the three difl'erent positions of the arm, means whereby the movable arm controls the make-and-break device to arrest the operation of the audible signal when in one of its three-positions, and the visual signal presented to view at this time being adapted to indicate the same condition as the audible signal before arrested.

10. In an annunciator, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature therefor, a three-position signal iu'm constructed for latching engagement with the armature at its extreme position and at its intermediate position, and adapted to assume its other extreme position when wholly released from the armature; said signal arm carrying an intermediate visual signal indicating absence of the condition to be announced, and two extreme visual signals, each indicating the condition to be announced -and located to be presented to view when the signal arm is'wholly released by the armature and when the signal arm is reset in its extreme engaging position.

11. In an 'annunciator, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature therefor, a three-position signal arm constructed to be engaged and arrested by the armature at one of its extreme positions and at its intermediate position, and adapted to assume its other extreme position when wholly released from the armature; said signal arm carrying an intermediate visual signal indicating absence of the condition to be announced, and two extreme visual signals, each indicating the condition to be announced and located to be presented to view when the signal arm is wholly released by the armature and when the signal arm is reset in its extreme engaging position; said annunciator also embodying an audible signal and a make-and-break device for said electromagnet operable in conjunction with said armature and adapted to control said audible signal which is effective when the signal arm is dropped to its free extreme position; and said signal arm being adapted to co-act with said make-andbreak' device to arrest the audible signal when the signal arm is reset in an engaging position.

12. In anannunciator, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature assuming one position when the magnet is in energized condition and another position when the magnet is in deenergizedcondition, and a movable arm adapted to assume three distinct ositions ;'said arm being adapted to be held y the armature in its first position,

when the magnet is in one condition, and being adapted to be held by the armature in its second position when the magnet is in its armature; there being three visual signals connected with said movable arm and presented to view as the arm zassumes its respective positions. i

In an annunciator, the combination 10 with an electroniagnet, an armature for said magnet, a member carrying two spaced stops attached to said armature, a movable three position signal member having two stops constructed to engage said two spaced armature stops, and means to move said signal member into interengagement with saidarmature stops said signal member automatically returning to its first signaling position When-disengaged from said armature stops. 14.

1 with an electromagnet, an amnaturel for saidmagnet, of two stops carried by said In an anni'inciator, the combination armature, a movable member adapted to engage said stops and having three visual signa 8 attached thereto, an electric contact arranged to be closed when saidinember is re.-

7 leased from engagement with either of said stops, and means to disengage said contacts and move said signal member to its second engagedposition with said armature thereby posit oning the third visual signal carried by said movable member and automatically resetting'said meinbe'rto its firstsig- 'naling position. g 15.In an annunciator, 1n combination with an electromagnet, an armature for said magnet, of two spaced stops carried by said armature, and a three position signaling member namely one. free and two engaged 40 positions, said member having two cor-respondingprojections for engagement with said stops, one projection for engagement when the armature is in one position and the other projection for engagement when the Qarmature is in its other position and means to move the said signaling member from its free position to one of its engaged positions,-said signaling member being automatically released from first the one and then the other of its engaged positions upon the energizing and subsequent deenergizing of said magnet and thus returned to its free position.

16. In a three position annunciator, three visual signals and an audible signal, an electrical circuit and a, circuit closer, means to hold and-expose one of said visual signals, means 'to change one of said visual; signals and actuate the audible signal, means to site lence said audible signal and substitute a-nother visual signal for the one shown when the audible signal was sounded said circuit closerbeing in the same condition as'when the audible signal was sounded.

as 17. In an annunciator, in combination secondfsignaling ing position being .by the closing with an electrical circuit and circuit closer, I

ng position with said circuit closer open and said magnet deenergized, said display device beingl released from its first signaling position an assuming its second signaling position with said circuit closer closed and said magnet energized, means to set said display device from its second signaling position to its third signaling position,

means to hold said disp ay device in its third signaling position while said circuit closer remains closed and said magnet energized, said last movement of said displaydevice silencing the audible signal -con-' trolled by said display device when in its position, said third signalsubstituted for the second signaling position while the means for giving the second signaling position of said display device is still operated with said circuit closer closed, said display device being released from its third signaling position and secured in its first signaling position when said circuit closer is opened.

In an annunciator, in combination with an electromagnet, a coacting armature, an electrical circuit, a three position display device, said display device having a rst or clear visual section and second and third visual sections, and a normally silent audible si al, means controlled by the breaking o eaid electrical circuit to expose said clear visual section, means controlled of said electrical circuit to release said display device and display the second one of the visual sections and sound the audible signal, means to silence the audible signal and substitute the third visual section for the second one dis la ed when the audible signal was given, said rst means holding said third section displayed, when said first means is controlled by said electrical circuit in the same condition as when the audible signal was given.

19. In a three position annunciator, in

combination with an electromagnet and coa visual display device ing section with said circuit closer closed and said magnet energized, means to set said display device in its third position exposing its lower signalin section while said circuit closer remains c used and said magnet energized, said display device being released from its third position showing the lowermost signaling section secured by said holding means in its central position when said circuit closer is opened and said magnet deenergized, means to give an audible signal when said display device stands in its second position displaying its uppermost signaling section, means to silence the audible signal by moving said display device into its third position thus exposing its lowermost signaling section, said armature being in the attracted position.

20. In an annunciator, a circuit which is closed and opened by the presence or absence of a condition to be signaled, an electromagnet in said circuit, a co-acting armature for said magnet, a display device havingthree positions, to wit, a first or clear position and a second and a third position, each indicating the condition to be signaled, means controlled by said armature for holding the display device in its clear position with the magnet deenergized, said means releasing said display device from said clear positionby the energizing of said magnet, and thereby permitting it to assume its second position, an audible signal, the check for .said audible signal, means through which to move said display device from its second position to its third pos1t1on and means through which said display device is held insaid third position by the magnet s'aid'check being constructed to sound said audible signal while the display device is in its second position.

21. In an annunciator, a circuit which is closed and opened by the presence or absence of a condition to be signaled, an electromagnet in said circuit,,a coacting armature for said magnet, a displa device having three positions, to wit, a rst or clear position and a second and athird position, each indicating the condition to be signaled, means controlled by said armature for holding the display device in its clear positionwith the magnet deenergized, said means releasing said display device from said clear position by the energizing of said magnet, and thereby permittlng it to assume its second position, an audible signal, a check for said audible signal, means through which to move said display device from its second position to its third position, and means through which said display device isheld in 7 said third position by the magnet said check being constructed to sound said audible signal while the display device is in its second position; said display device being movable from its second to its third signaling posi- 7 tion during continuance of the energized condition of the magnet.

22. In an annunciator, a circuit which is closed and opened by the presence or ab sence of a condition to be signaled, an electromagnet in said circuit 'a coacting armature for said magnet, a display device having three positions, to wit, a first or clear position and a second and a third position,

with the magnet deinergized, said means releasing said display device from said clear position by the energizing of said magnet, and thereby permittin it to assume its second position, an audible signal, a check for said audible signal, means through which to move said display device from its second osition to its third position, and means t rough which said display device is held in said third position by the magnet, saidcheck being constructed to sound said audible signal while the display device is in its second position; the clear position of the display device being an intermediate position, and its second and third positions being on either side of said intermediate position; said display device being movable from its second position, ast its clear position and to its third position while the electromagnet is energized.

23. In an annunciator, a circuit which is closed and opened by the presence or absence of the condition to be signaled, an electromagnet in said circuit, two coacting members including an armature for said electromagnet, and a display device having three signaling positions, namely, a first or clear position indicating the absence of the condition, and a second or annunciating position indicatin the arrival of the condition, and a th1rd position indicating the continuance of the condition reciprocally acting engaging means through which'the armature engages the display device in its first and third positions, respectively. a

24. In an. annunciator, acircuit which is closed and opened by the presence or ab.- sence of a condition to be signaled, an electromagnet two coacting members including an armature for said electromagnet, and a display device having three signaling positions, namely, a first or clear position indicating the absence of the condition, and a second or annunciating position indicating the arrival of the condition, and a third po sition indicatin the continuance of the condition; means t rough which said armature. restrains the display device in its first and third positions, comprising a pair of projections on one of said members and projections on the other of said members engaging the projections of said pair successively.

25. In an annunciator, a circuit which is closed or opened by the presence or absence ofa condition to be signaled, an electromagnet, two coacting meinbers includin an armature for said electromagnet, an disl vdevice havlng three signaling positions,

namely, a first or clear position indicating the absence of the condition, and a second or amnniciating position indicating the all'lVill of the condition, and a third position indicating the continuance of the condition; means for said annatnre and said display device for holding the display device in both its first and third positions; device entering either the first or the second position automatically and the third posi tion by manipulation.

.26; In a train annunciator, the combination with a visual signaling element adapted to assume a clear, a rst train and a second train signaling position, of means for normally holding said element in the a clear position comprising a pivoted member formed with a catch and a stop carried by said signaling element which engages said display said catch. means for releasing the signaling nalin device electroma netic means 0 )er-' ated at will to silence said audible signaling device and move said visual signaling element fronr the first train position to the second train position, and means for retaining said signaling element in the last named position.

\VESLEY H. GEIGER.

Witnesses v R. B. FROWNFELTER, ADDISON M. BOWMAN. 

